Please help me set up my speakers...correctly!

[MrGlobe]

Hello,

I have recently acquired a pair of Polk Monitor 70s, and would like a little help getting them to fit into my setup.

My setup is as follows:

H/K AVR-140
CS2
Monitor 70s
Monitor 60s
CSM (if i decide on 6.1)
BA MCS100 8" Sub

Alternate surrounds:

Monitor 40s
Polk T15s

My questions are these:

-Are the Monitor 60s really best suited for surround work? Would I be better off just using the 40s as surrounds and the 60s in another setup?

-I often play around with changing speaker sizes, etc. I was told before to set all speakers to small, and let the sub do the low work. Should I set all speakers to Large, since my sub is comparatively weak?

-Is my H/K AVR 140 (@40wpc) not enough power for my Monitor 70s mains?

-What x-over settings do you recommend for the Monitor 70s?



All stupid questions, I'm just looking for your opinions. Furthermore, if anyone would like me to do any specific speaker comparisons, LMK. (As I feel it would have been helpful when I was speaker shopping)

Thanks in advance!

[vijayl]

Try to stick with either 60s or 40s for surround.
60s vs 40s is a personal pref. You may see some difference ..
Regarding setting speakers to small - In this case, I would keep M70s as large and rest of it small

M70s could have more power - if ur H/K has pre-outs, u may add a 3ch amp..
In genl 80Hz is good, u can try going 100 Hz to see the difference..

[wutadumsn23]

Hey Globe, +1 on what vijayl said. If your AVR has pre-outs I would look into adding a 3 or 5 channel amp to bring those 70's to life. I run Monitor 70's in my rig and they sound great being pushed by my Onkyo, but would sound much better running off an external amp. The 70's will operate at 40W, but they are rated up to 200W so giving them more power would be ideal, but not something you have to do. That is up to your ears and your wallet, lol. Good luck.

-Jeff

[danz1906]

Welcome to the Club!

[royalty]

http://www.polkaudio.com/education/index.php
May help....

[MrGlobe]

hey thanks for all the help guys!

I dont even know where to start with getting an amp. How much do they cost? What brands would you recommend?

Thanks

[olilugo]

You don't need an external amp. Your speakers will sound just fine with out it.

The monitor 60's will do just fine in your setup.
If you have a big room, don't expect the monitor series to do the work well. Make sure you create a space where you have a good balance between listening, viewing area and your setup.

[MrGlobe]

Its not a large room, probably 12'x12'. I will be using a 32" lcd for now unfortunately. Seating will be 6'-8' away from monitor

[vijayl]

Thats a good sized room and u shud be fine w/ ur current HK140. Run this set up of M70, CS2, M60 combo for a month or two; after that f ur HK has pre-outs and if u can borrow (buy and return if u don't like) an amp and experience the difference and decide whether to go for an amp or not.

[MrGlobe]

that sounds like a good idea.

I also have a Sony STR-D965 that I could use to power the speakers, it puts out more watts but is older, and doesn't have any digital audio inputs (which would suck when I get a PS3 soon...) Looking online, the Sony should put out 110w to both front channels, and 100w to the center and surrounds. Furthermore, I am not as confident in the accuracy of the surround sound decoders in the Sony.

Once I get everything set up I should be able to decide, But its always good to hear other opinions.

Thanks!

[Terryall]

I tried to hook them up with the amp i have and i think it wasnt enough power.Now my highs don't work? Can anyone tell me what kind of amp do i need to push them and have i screewed my highs?
\
thank you

[thsmith]

I tried to hook them up with the amp i have and i think it wasnt enough power.Now my highs don't work? Can anyone tell me what kind of amp do i need to push them and have i screewed my highs?
\
thank you

Terry, welcome to club polk but you need to start your own thread not jumping in on OP.

[MrGlobe]

well i got the monitor 70s set up, and wow do they sound great.

there is definitely a noticeable diference between the 70s and the 60s. They are also alot larger. they arrived a little banged up, nothing terrible, and for less than $300 i'd say they were a good deal.

The 70s match up better to the cs2 than the 60s did, and i'm very excited to set up the 60s as surrounds.

Thanks again for the advice on crossover and speaker settings, Ive been working on getting them setup just right.

[vijayl]

enjoy!!

[xcapri79]

well i got the monitor 70s set up, and wow do they sound great.

there is definitely a noticeable diference between the 70s and the 60s. They are also alot larger. they arrived a little banged up, nothing terrible, and for less than $300 i'd say they were a good deal.

The 70s match up better to the cs2 than the 60s did, and i'm very excited to set up the 60s as surrounds.

Thanks again for the advice on crossover and speaker settings, Ive been working on getting them setup just right.

Congrat's on the M70's. They are very nice speakers.
The M60's compliment them well as surrounds.